This is the dilemma many new working mothers face after just having had their baby. Often working mums are required, contractually or for financial reasons, to return to paid employment after an all too short maternity leave period. The dilemma every mother faces at this time is not so much about what to feed her baby, but the whole issue surrounding the concept of leaving her baby.
Mothers are confronted with numerous issues and decisions when they return to work. The decisions they make will have a direct impact not only on themselves as individuals and as mothers, but also on their baby, their families and their work places. With these stresses comes an overriding need to provide a safe, nurturing environment for their baby whilst they are at work and away from the home. "The most important factor," says Bridget Roache, Childbirth and Breast-feeding Educator, "is to identify a means to maintain optimal nutrition during this time". With the correct counselling, support and advice there is no reason why a working mother cannot continue to breast-feed her newborn for as long as she chooses to, says Bridget.
There continues to be a general trend of negativity towards working mothers and there are numerous studies researched on the topic in an effort to evaluate the outcome on the child. This view is promoted by publications on child rearing that largely view working mothers negatively, except in the case of economic necessity. "Sadly, this only serves to enhance the working mother's guilt and offers little advice about how to balance economic demands with caring for their newborn or how best to continue effective nutrition for their baby", adds Bridget. There seems to be an abundance of information available to suggest why the mother should not work but little practical advice for mothers who choose to continue working.
"The decision to work is a personal one and does not separate women into good and bad mothers," she reiterates. If the mother decides to work she now must somehow decide on nutrition for her baby, during her absences from the home environment. The role of the lactation counsellor is a very important one at this point and can be summarised, Bridget explains, as "assisting the mother in adjusting her infant and herself to the process and routine of breast-feeding".
What many working mothers do not realise is that just because they are returning to work, it does not mean that they have to cease breast-feeding their newborns. Bridget clarifies, "With some simple practical tips and advise on feeding, an update on local labour laws including maternity benefits and a little support from employers at the workplace, mothers can continue breast-feeding their newborns just as effectively as they could if they were still at home."
As our rapidly changing society dictates new role descriptions for mothers, particularly in our expatriate environment where family support networks are often unavailable, professional, practical and up-to-date advice for working mothers is needed. It is critical for qualified lactation counsellors to provide this support for women who seek to fulfil and balance parental, occupational & personal needs.
Primarily, counselling should involve teaching working mothers how to pump a store of breast milk and how to avoid exhaustion. Consideration needs to be given to the workplace, i.e.:
- location of workplace in relation to home. Can the mother leave her work and go to the infant or can the infant be brought to the workplace?
- can the mother pump her milk at work and save it for the following day? This necessitates having
(i) a sanitary place to pump
(ii) a means of storage until she gets home, e.g. a refrigerator at work or an insulated container with ice.
If there is no opportunity to chill the milk, the milk can be stored in a sterile container for 8 hours without refrigeration if collected under clean conditions.
Mothers need to pump to maintain their supply if they are away from their baby past feeding time. She can practice pumping and storing a small amount of her milk daily for several weeks in her freezer at home. This provides a 'stockpile' for when she is at work. Milk can be stored in a refrigerator for 48 hours and a freezer compartment with a separate freezer door for up to 3-6 months. Frozen in a deep freeze for 6-12 months. Milk left over from feeding should be discarded.
Bridget summarises what makes a mother-friendly workplace and encourages companies to support working mothers by offering:
- flexible working hours that allow for lactation breaks in addition to usual breaks
- clear, private area with comfortable seating - power point for an electric breast pump
- washing facilities for hands & breastfeeding equipment
- refrigerator
- storage space for breast pump & other breastfeeding equipment
- information about maternity leave for employees who are pregnant or considering pregnancy
MICROWAVES ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR WARMING MILK.
There are advantages to the employer, as well as the mother, for encouraging breastfeeding in the workplace. Research suggests that there have been decreases in absenteeism (for maternal & infant illness) and a general increase in job satisfaction among employees who are mothers. It's also further promotes cost-efficiencies for the employer by reducing staff turnover.
Courtesy General Medical Centre
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